by Leah Brooke
Blade swallowed heavily. “Because I watched you. I always knew everything that you were doing. I knew what you were feeling. Your eyes always give you away, baby.”
Teasing his nipples, she rubbed her belly against his cock, thrilled at his sharp intake of breath. “Then you should know what I’m feeling now. I want to please my husband. I want my Master back.”
Gripping her upper arms, Blade set her away from him, his breathing harsh and his hooded eyes nearly black. “I know what you want. Your Master never left you. I do what I want to do to you. It’s up to me, remember? I’m the one in control, and you have to take what I give you—when I decide to give it to you.”
He ran a hand over her back to her bottom, sending a delicious shiver through her. “This is my body to use as I wish, and you have no say in it. I want you to get some rest, and you’d better not disobey me!”
Smiling, Kelly cupped his tight butt. “And what are you going to do to me if I don’t?”
A muscle worked in his jaw as he reached behind him and took her wrists in his. “Don’t push me on this, Kelly. We’ll make love as soon as the doctor gives the okay. Until then, behave yourself.”
Kelly grinned. “Or what, Master?”
With a growl, Blade dropped a quick kiss on her forehead and released her. “Don’t push me, Kelly. Go take a nap. I’ll probably be late, but I’ll call to make sure you ate dinner. If you need something, call me.”
Kelly watched him go, waiting until the door closed behind him before she dropped into the chair he’d just vacated. “Don’t push you, huh? You just wait until I get the all clear from the doctor. Then you’re going to see how far I can push.”
After checking on Hawke, Kelly changed into her workout clothes and began to stretch, determined that by the time the doctor gave the okay again, Blade wouldn’t know what hit him.
Chapter Seven
Trembling with excitement, Kelly turned to admire herself in the large bathroom mirror, knowing she’d never looked so good. She’d worked hard to lose the baby weight, and had been surprised at how well her new diet and exercise routine had helped her not only get rid of the pounds, but had shaped her body into one that she’d never had before.
Her new red nightgown looked good on her, the soft lace hugging her new curves to perfection. The peekaboo lace let her nipples show, as well as her freshly waxed mound.
She’d layered the vanilla scent she loved so much over her entire body, the rich moisturizer making her body glow.
She looked fantastic and had never felt better in her life.
She fluffed her hair, admiring her new haircut, the layered style framing her face and making her eyes look even bigger. The blonde highlights brightened her face and the tousled style made her look even sexier.
“Kelly, are you okay?” Blade’s tense voice came from the bedroom.
Grinning, Kelly smoothed on a lip stain that darkened her lips and made them look as if she’d been kissed. “I’m fine, Blade. I’ll be out in a minute.”
She knew how much Blade liked the pink stain. She’d gotten it over a week ago, and every time she wore it, he stared at her lips as if he wanted to take a bite.
Tonight, she’d need every advantage she could get.
Turning again, she stood on her toes to make sure that she looked her best from all angles, stilling at the knock on the bathroom door.
“You’ve been in there a long time.”
Reining in her grin, she adopted a small polite smile and swung the door open, almost swallowing her tongue at the sight of Blade’s bare chest and disheveled hair as if he’d run his fingers through it countless times. “I’m sorry. Did you need to use the bathroom?”
His eyes went wide as they raked over her and then narrowed when they settled on her face again. “I was getting worried. Are you okay?”
Kelly snuggled against him, smiling at the feel of his cock jumping against her belly. “I feel great.”
Wearing nothing but black cotton pants, which rode low on his flat stomach, Blade looked sexy as hell. He looked dark and exotic and smelled like heaven.
Turning her head, she pressed her lips against his chest and breathed the warm scent of him, thrilled at the feel of his hands clenching on her upper arms.
He wanted her. Badly.
She could feel the sexual tension pulsating all around him.
Just thinking about tonight had kept her aroused all day, and finally being in Blade’s arms sent her arousal soaring.
Her nipples tightened almost painfully, the friction of the soft lace against them and the heat of his chest making the sensation even stronger.
It had been a long time since he’d touched her sexually, and her clit tingled with anticipation.
Her pussy clenched with the need for him, releasing a rush of moisture that coated her inner thighs.
Lifting her head, Kelly cupped his cheek and smiled. “I went to the doctor’s today.”
Blade’s eyes hardened, and he went stiff. “What did he say? What happened? I knew something was wrong.”
“Blade. Stop it. I didn’t tell you I was going because I know how nervous you get.” She rubbed against him. “I had my checkup, and so did Hawke. The doctor is very pleased with how we’re both doing. Hawke gained another pound.”
Blade smiled. “Good. He eats enough.” His eyes narrowed. “What did he say about you? Is it too much on you?”
Kelly smiled and shook her head, determined to get her hardheaded husband to see that she was no longer the pale, weak woman lying in a hospital bed. “He says that I’m fine and I can resume all normal activities—including making love with my husband.”
To her surprise, Blade didn’t seem thrilled with the news.
His eyes narrowed even more, and he stepped back, gripping her shoulders and putting several inches between them. “You’re not ready for that. Come on. You must be tired. Let’s get you into bed so you can get some sleep before Hawke wakes up to eat again.”
Losing patience, Kelly blew out a breath and tried to close the distance between them again, but Blade didn’t let her. “Blade, the doctor says I’m ready. I’m fine. Better than ever. I’m a healthy woman and I want my husband.”
Blade scraped a hand through his hair. “I can’t. I’m too scared of hurting you.”
Kelly smiled, rubbing a hand over his chest. “I know you’re probably worried about getting me pregnant again, but we’ll use a condom, or I can ask the doctor for pills.”
“No, damn it! You’re not taking any fucking pills!”
Kelly blinked as Blade turned away and strode to the window, his entire body tense as he braced himself against the wall. “What the hell’s wrong with you?”
Shaking his head, he slumped. “Nothing. Just tired. Go to bed, Kelly.”
Approaching him from behind, Kelly kept her voice low and seductive, trying to hide the fear that her husband no longer wanted her. “I don’t want to go to bed without you. I want you to take me. It’s been so long, Blade.” She ran her hands over his back as she closed in, running them around to his stomach as she pressed her face against the hard lines of his back. “I need you.” Sliding her hands lower, she cupped his cock through his soft pants, smiling to find him even harder than before.
His reaction, though, was more than she’d bargained for.
He cursed and jerked away from her as if she’d touched him with a live wire. “I said, no, damn it!”
Shaken, and trying her best to hold back tears, Kelly wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly chilled. “But you want me. You’re aroused.”
Blade turned to look at her over his shoulder, his features harder and colder than she’d ever seen them. “I’m in charge of my arousal. It doesn’t control me.”
Lifting her chin, Kelly swallowed the lump in her throat and voiced her inner fear. “So, you’re aroused, but you don’t want me anymore. I’m a mother now, not like those skinny young things that parade naked around the club. You’re turned off that
my breasts are always leaking milk, and—”
Blade whipped around, his expression one of fury. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but thought better of it. Fisting his hands at his sides, he turned away again. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard you say.”
Kelly ran up to him, tired of talking to his back. Grabbing his shoulder, she turned him toward her. “Oh, now I’m being ridiculous. I want to make love with my husband and I’m being ridiculous? You’re the one who’s being ridiculous.”
Blade took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his expression softening. “That’s enough, honey.” He gathered her against him, running his hands up and down her back. “You’re getting yourself all worked up for nothing. Calm down.”
Kelly shoved at him, knowing that the only reason she could move him was because he allowed it. “Over nothing? Don’t you fucking tell me to calm down.” Fisting her hands on her hips, she released the hold on her temper, knowing that if she didn’t give full rein to it, she’d end up crying. “What’s going on, Blade? You get yourself another woman while I’ve been out of commission?”
Blade blinked, as if he hadn’t been expecting that. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Incensed, she slapped at him, something that the old Blade would have never allowed. “You call me ridiculous one more time and I’m going to punch you.”
She wanted to cry. She wanted to curl up in bed and sob until she didn’t have any tears left.
Blade didn’t want her anymore.
Gathering her close again, Blade kissed her hair. “See, now you’ve gotten yourself all worked up. That’s not good for you. You need to settle down.”
Overcoming her struggles, he lifted her high against his chest. “I love you, baby. I can’t stand to see you like this. Just calm down. Everything’s going to be all right. I don’t have another woman. The only woman I want is you. You’re getting yourself all worked up over nothing.” Lowering her to the bed, he brushed his lips over her jaw. “That’s my girl.”
Kelly fought the surge of lust that swept through her at his soft, silky tone, a tone her body knew well and responded to without hesitation. “I’m worked up because I’m horny and my own husband doesn’t want to fuck me.”
Lifting his head, Blade smiled, all trace of anger gone. “Poor baby. You always get mad when you’re aroused. I’ll take care of that for you.”
Struggling to catch up with his sudden mood shift, Kelly stared up at him. “Blade, I want you to make love to me.”
Arching as he slid his hand to the neckline of her nightgown, she smiled, relieved that she’d finally gotten through to him. She gasped as he tightened his hold and tugged, ripping the delicate nightgown from her with an ease that stunned her.
Aroused her.
Reaching for him, she spread her thighs, anxious for him to take her. It had been far too long since she’d felt him thick and hot inside her. “Thank God.”
Blade’s smile held the hint of arrogance she’d always loved, but also more than a little bit of tension. Gathering both of her wrists in one of his strong hands, he lifted her arms over her head, his eyes raking over her. “Beautiful.”
Moving to kneel between her thighs, he spread them wider, his free hand moving to her breast. “Look at you.”
Thrilled at the hunger in his eyes, Kelly arched against him. “Take me, Blade.”
Tracing his finger over the drop of milk on her nipple, he smoothed it over her breast. “So fucking beautiful. So soft. So delicate.”
Sucking in a breath at the feel of her husband’s hand moving slowly down the center of her body, Kelly moaned and bit her lip as her stomach muscles quivered under his touch. “Please. Don’t make me wait. Please, Blade.”
Her pussy clenched with need for him, the anticipation making her crazy. Jolting at the slide of his thumb over her swollen and aching clit, Kelly gasped and fought to get her hands free, elated and more aroused at the knowledge that she couldn’t.
It had been so long since he’d held her with such firmness, or looked at her with such hunger. Burning for him, she fought his hold in her need to get closer, the slide of his thumb over her clit pushing her closer and closer to the edge.
“Take me. Fuck me, damn you! I don’t want to come like this. I want to come with you inside me.” She didn’t want to come without the closeness of having her husband inside her. She wanted his heat and strength surrounding her.
Using his muscular thighs to keep hers parted, Blade stared down at her, watching her closely as he continued to manipulate her clit. “You’re not ready for that. Shh. There, baby. Doesn’t that feel good?”
“Blade! Damn it. Fuck me!”
“No, baby.” The silkiness in his tone, his strong hold and the expertise in his touch as he slid his finger back and forth over her clit had her writhing beneath him in an attempt to hold off her orgasm.
Of course, with Blade, the effort proved useless.
Taking her mouth in a slow kiss, one filled with love and possessiveness, he sent her over with a speed and skill that left her breathless, her body arching and tightening as the waves of tingling heat washed over her.
Lifting his head, he smiled down at her. “That’s my girl. God, I love to watch you come.”
Releasing her hands, he gathered her against him. “You’re so beautiful. I love you so much, baby.” He buried his face in her hair, pressing his lips against her neck, her shoulder, her jaw.
Wrapping her legs around him, Kelly pressed her mound against his still-hard cock. “Blade, I want you. It’s okay to take me. Please.”
Lifting his head, he pushed her hair back, holding her the way he always did to settle her. “Not tonight, honey. Shh. You need your sleep. I love you, Kelly.” His eyes glittered with an emotion so strong, it took her breath away.
“Nothing’s as important to me as keeping you safe. I swear, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re never hurt again.” He took her mouth in another searing kiss, sending sharp pleasure through her.
Lifting his head again, he got up from the bed and pulled the covers over her. “Never. I need you too much. Go to sleep, baby.”
Panicked, Kelly gripped his arm. “Where are you going?”
Blade smiled and kissed her hand before turning off the light. “I’m going to check on Hawke and do a little more work on the computer. I came home early because I missed you and I have some things to finish up.”
Lying in the darkness, Kelly listened to the door close, her body still humming from her orgasm.
It wasn’t enough.
She wanted Blade. She needed Blade.
For the first time since she met him, he seemed so far out of reach to her.
She missed her husband. She missed her tender lover.
She missed her Master.
Wiping away a tear, she turned to her side and hugged the pillow.
She couldn’t let this go on. She had to find a way to get him back to the man he used to be.
If what she had with Blade died, a part of her would die with it.
She couldn’t let a part of him die, too.
Something had to be done.
And soon.
* * * *
Blade went out the front door and to his car, pausing to lean against the door frame.
Hell, he was close to coming in his fucking pants!
Kelly was driving him crazy.
He wanted her so much that he couldn’t even sleep at night, and no amount of jerking off helped.
He wanted her.
Every day, she was stronger and sexier than the day before.
She’d always been self-conscious about her weight, but he’d assured her that he loved her just the way she was.
Since having the baby, she’d been on a diet and exercise routine that had not only reshaped her body, but herself.
She had a confidence about her since giving birth that she hadn’t had before, a confidence that seemed to grow as her body got smaller.
He should have known that the passion she’d learned to embrace would demand to be set free.
He opened his car door, only to slam it shut again, and started walking to the club, hoping the walk would help him get rid of some of this tension.
After seeing her in the hospital, he never thought he’d imagine dominating her again, but as her confidence and daring grew, so did his need to have her submission.
The challenge in her eyes stroked the dominant side of him, pushing his control to its limits. He wanted her with a hunger like never before.
He wanted to push the boundaries of her submission until he wiped that daring and hurt from her eyes, and replaced it with satisfaction and wonder beyond what she’d ever experienced.
Every day, it got harder and harder to resist her, and he knew it was only a matter of time before his control snapped and he took what belonged to him.
Tender domination.
He could make her come over and over, and satisfy her need to submit, but he could do it with tenderness.
Hopefully, it would get her to stop daring him so often, her defiance and the way she wiggled that ass testing his patience.
And if she had any more of those sexy nightgowns, he’d just have to rip them up, too.
Blowing out a breath, he continued down the street to the club, so deep in thought that he was walking up the stairs to the entrance of the club before he knew it.
He went straight to his office and sat down, staring at the computer screen.
He couldn’t stop thinking about the toys he’d packed in boxes and stored in the attic. Each one had brought back memories that even now had his cock standing at attention.
He couldn’t go into one of the playrooms without thinking about his own playroom at home, and the things he’d done to his beloved and sassy wife.
Another seminar approached, and he couldn’t imagine training Masters while not thinking about doing the same things to Kelly.